The leaves of Populus tremuloides are simple, alternate
and toothed. The bark of young trunks is similar to the pale greenish
white color of other members of this genus. When the trees reach a large
size the older bark splits repeatedly and becomes furrowed and dark
gray, although many stands are cut before they reach this stage. It
lacks the whitish hairy buds of P. grandidentata and also lacks
the long-pointed, resinous buds of P. balsamifera. In addition
to the leaf shape, the darker buds and twigs of P. tremuloides
distinguish it from P. deltoides. It is highly prone to spreading
vegetatively by rhizomes (underground stems) and relatively large stands
may be a single clone--the product of a single individual over a period
of years. It also sprouts vigorously when cut and has covered many acres
of northern Wisconsin with dense "doghair" stands following
repeated clearcutting of forests. It is an important species for the
papermaking industry.

Populus tremuloides ranges from Alaska fully across
Canada except for the northernmost portions and extends south to Iowa
and New Jersey in the east and along the Rocky Mountains through the
western states into northern Mexico. It is distributed throughout Wisconsin.
It grows in a variety of soil conditions and dense stands following
cutting are often accompanied by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and blackberries (and
not much else) on sandy soils in the north. It is short-lived, does
not tolerate shade and in the absence of disturbance it will be displaced
by more shade tolerant species.